European Tour glory at last for Ross Smith as he claims the International Darts Open in Riesa “It grates on your head, you think to yourself if you’re ever going to win one”

Ross Smith finally ended his wait for a European Tour title on Sunday evening, producing a series of outstanding displays to defeat Ryan Searle 8-3 and capture the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open crown in Riesa.

The former European Champion delivered a memorable performance at the WT Energiesysteme Arena, overcoming a succession of elite opponents to secure the £35,000 top prize and claim the first European Tour title of his career.

Having previously lost all four of his European Tour finals, Smith ensured there would be no repeat heartbreak this time around, capping a superb weekend by becoming the seventh different winner on the European Tour circuit in 2026.

The victory also marked the ninth PDC ranking title of Smith’s career and further strengthened his position inside the world’s top 16.

Smith’s title charge began on Saturday with a high-quality 6-3 victory over former International Darts Open champion Joe Cullen. The Englishman averaged over 102 and converted 60 per cent of his attempts at double in an impressive opening display.

Sunday afternoon brought a stern examination against home favourite Ricardo Pietreczko. In a fiercely contested encounter, neither player was able to establish control for long periods before Smith produced a decisive break of throw in the closing stages to seal a 6-4 victory and silence the German crowd.

The 37-year-old was then pushed to the limit in the quarter-finals against Michael van Gerwen.

Despite averaging seven points lower than the Dutch superstar, Smith displayed tremendous composure under pressure to edge through a dramatic deciding-leg contest and continue his run towards the title.

His semi-final proved a far more straightforward affair.

Facing Cameron Menzies, who had reached his first European Tour semi-final of the season, Smith produced one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, whitewashing the Scot 7-0 to book his place in the final.

Awaiting him in the showpiece was Ryan Searle, who had enjoyed an excellent run of his own throughout the weekend.

The final began in closely fought fashion, but Smith quickly gained the upper hand. A crucial break of throw in the fourth leg helped him establish a 3-1 advantage.

Searle responded impressively, winning two quick legs to draw level and threaten a comeback. However, Smith immediately reasserted control and dominated the remainder of the contest.

Winning five of the next six legs, the Kent thrower pulled clear in emphatic fashion to complete an 8-3 victory and finally lift the European Tour trophy that had previously eluded him.

“I’m so happy to finally win one,” said Smith after securing the title.

“It grates on your head, you think to yourself if you’re ever going to win one [a European Tour].

“Yeah, finally, I’ve won a Players Championship title, a European Tour title and a major now – that was for my mum and dad!”

Smith also reflected on the disappointment of previous defeats at this level and the motivation they provided.

“It hurts, Ryan was brilliant, he’s a really good mate and when you don’t win one, it hurts.

“You don’t want to keep feeling like that, you try and push yourself, and remember you don’t want to feel like that again.

“Ryan will win loads of these, he’s Ryan Searle, he’s fantastic, he definitely let me off in the final there.”

Despite falling short in the final, Searle enjoyed one of his strongest European Tour campaigns in recent memory.

The Somerset star was appearing in his first European Tour final since September 2024 and produced a string of impressive performances to reach Sunday evening’s showpiece.

After defeating highly-rated youngster Charlie Manby 6-3 in his opening match, Searle stormed into the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1 victory over Kim Huybrechts.

He then produced another clinical display against Premier League star Gian van Veen, winning five of the final six legs to secure his place in the last four.

Searle’s semi-final against Rob Cross was widely regarded as one of the matches of the tournament.

The contest featured a succession of big finishes and momentum swings, with Cross landing four ton-plus checkouts, including spectacular finishes of 164 and 170 to force the match into a deciding leg.

However, Searle saved his best moment for the very end, pinning a brilliant 130 checkout on the bullseye to secure a dramatic 7-6 victory and reach the final.

Reflecting on his runner-up finish, Searle admitted he struggled to replicate his semi-final performance during the final.

“My doubles were close, they just weren’t going in, but that happens sometimes!” said the Englishman.

“I think I shot my bolt against [Rob] Cross in the semi-final, I was a little bit flat in the final.”

Elsewhere, Cross had enjoyed an impressive run after gaining entry to the event via the reserve list. The former World Champion strengthened his hopes of qualifying for July’s World Matchplay by reaching the semi-finals, having survived three match darts against Ryan Joyce in a thrilling quarter-final encounter.

Cameron Menzies also enjoyed an excellent tournament despite his heavy semi-final defeat. The Scotsman produced one of the comebacks of the weekend in the quarter-finals, recovering from 4-0 down against James Wade before reeling off six consecutive legs to deny the veteran Englishman a first European Tour title since 2016.

Following an enthralling weekend in Riesa, attention now turns to the next stop on the 2026 Winamax European Tour, with the Baltic Sea Darts Open taking place from May 29-31.

The PDC ProTour season will then continue with Players Championship 19 and 20 in Milton Keynes as June’s busy schedule gets underway.

European Tour glory at last for Ross Smith as he claims the International Darts Open in Riesa

2026 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open

Sunday May 24

Afternoon Session

Round Three

Gian van Veen 6-2 Kevin Doets

Ryan Searle 6-1 Kim Huybrechts

Rob Cross 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Ryan Joyce 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Damon Heta

Ross Smith 6-4 Ricardo Pietreczko

James Wade 6-5 Wessel Nijman

Cameron Menzies 6-2 Martin Schindler

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals

Ryan Searle 6-3 Gian van Veen

Rob Cross 6-5 Ryan Joyce

Ross Smith 6-5 Michael van Gerwen

Cameron Menzies 6-4 James Wade

Semi-Finals

Ryan Searle 7-6 Rob Cross

Ross Smith 7-0 Cameron Menzies

Final

Ross Smith 8-3 Ryan Searle